"Charlie," Sir Marmaduke said on the following morning, at breakfast, "it is quite possible that that villain who acted as spy, and that other villain who employed him--I need not mention names--may swear an information against me, and I may be arrested, on the charge of being concerned in a plot.

I am not much afraid of it, if they do.

The most they could say is that I was prepared to take up arms, if his majesty crossed from France; but, as there are thousands and thousands of men ready to do the same, they may fine me, perhaps, but I should say that is all.

However, what I want to say to you is, keep out of the way, if they come.

I shall make light of the affair, while you, being pretty hot tempered, might say things that would irritate them, while they could be of no assistance to me.